Native Name | Inro |
Object Number | 21095A |
Current Location | Collections Storage |
Culture | Japanese |
Provenience | Japan | Yokohama |
Date Made | 1800-1899 |
Section | Asian |
Materials | Wood | Lacquer | Silver | Mother-of-Pearl | Gold |
Technique | Lacquered |
Iconography | Elephant |
Inscription Language | Japanese Language |
Description | Dark, red lacquer inro in four separable tiers representing a cake of Japanese ink decorated with an Indian elephant. The elephant is inlaid with mother of pearl, gold, and silver. On the other side, four characters inan archaic script read: The Elephant Brings us Happiness. A reference to a particular ink cake published in a woodblock printed catalog of ink sticks and cakes from 1588 CE. The elephant carries a boat-like vessel on its back for religious offerings. Signed on the side: Hansan made. |
Credit Line | Gift of Miss Livingston, 1898 |
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